Tampa, FL

Often referred to as a boating haven, Tampa has all kinds of boating related activities. With a yearly boat show at the Tampa Convention Center, you find all the newest models boats and gear. Head out to the Tampa Bay with a line of string and fish heads to catch blue crabs, a speciality dish when cooked up the right way. To fill your days you can also see manatees, charter a fishing boat, go diving, or even go sandbar rafting. Whatever you choose, it’s sure to be a good time.

DESTINATION GUIDE

Egmont Key Wildlife Refuge

Located at the mouth or entrance to Tampa Bay, Egmont Key Wildlife Refuge protects a diverse community of animals and plants, a lot of which are endangered or threatened. This makes visiting the wildlife refuge a unique and unforgettable experience because of the number of very rare and strange creatures you will encounter. Gulls, hawks, eagles, and other birds perch on the silent batteries while Gopher Tortoises and Box Turtles traverse the carriage roads. Egmont key resides quietly amid the sounds of wildlife.

Bayshore Boulevard

Bayshore Blvd. is a waterfront road on Hillsborough Bay in South Tampa. It is claimed to be the longest continuous sidewalk in the world at 4.5 miles long and it is 10 feet wide and widely used for recreation and exercise. Apart from taking a walk or bike ride on the boulevard there are a good number of fun places to visit especially if you are a boat person. You would probably want to try Eboats Tampa on S. Franklin St and Fishing Charters Tampa on Channelside Walk Way for your boat tours. If watersports are more of your thing then just cruise the boulevard to find a local fishing charter or jetski.

Wreck Fish for Snapper

There are a lot of wrecks in the bay and the bay has proven to be an incredible year round fishery located in the center of the fishing capital of the world. Fishing for snapper in Tampa Bay and the surrounding offshore water is very good. Mangrove Snapper happen to be very popular with the anglers in the bay area and would be a good target because they are plentiful and very delicious. They are also abundant in the bay during the hotter months, especially in July and August. So if you are planning a trip you definitely need to take this into account.

Dock and Dine

Traveling by boat to get a cold cocktail or a delicious bite at any of the great waterfront bars and restaurants in South Pinellas (south of John’s Pass to Pass-a-Grille) is a really cool and enjoyable experience. You could decide to treat someone to a fantastic experience. If that’s the case then keep in mind Gator’s Café and Saloon on Kingfish drive, Treasure Island, and Sea Critters on St. Pete Beach (west side of Boca Ciega Bay, south of Vina del Mar Bridge), they all serve incredible seafood.

Wakeboard in Tampa Bay

Wakeboarding incorporates techniques from sports like water skiing, snowboarding, and surfing Even though the most popular locations for waterboarding are freshwater lakes, wakeboarding in Tampa Bay is usually a wonderful experience. For a great session of wakeboarding all you need to bring is a good spirit, sunscreen, hat, towel, snacks, and beverage